A review by dinkumbird
Neon Gods by Katee Robert

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 
                I was really excited to read this book but it did not live up to my expectations and I think it is a bit overhyped. It is a Hades and Persephone retelling that takes place in the modern age. Instead of the them being gods they are political figures that run Olympus. The city is supposed to be split into thirds between Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, who are the most powerful of the Olympians and the only inherited titles. However, Zeus and Poseidon have combined their territories, leading to an Upper and Lower city divided by the river Styx. Eleven of the Thirteen live in the Upper City. Hades is the only one that lives in and rules the Lower City. Persephone is a rising socialite and the daughter of Demeter. She has not always lived in Olympus and only moved there once her mother won the title of Demeter and she plans to only stay in Olympus long enough to gain access to her inheritance. This all changes when her mother gives her hand in marriage to Zeus to be his wife and the new Hera. Being Hera is a dangerous role to have in Olympus and so Persephone flees to the Lower City where she meets Hades and the two hatch a revenge plan against Zeus. 

                The writing in the book is fairly good and the plot is interesting, but I did not like the departure from the original myths. The character, for the most part, still have the personalities and jobs that they have in the original tales. Zeus is still arrogant and treats women disrespectfully. Demeter is in charge of agriculture and Hermes is still a messenger. There are several places, specifically with Demeter where the book does not follow myth. She is supposed to not really get along with the other Olympians yet in this retelling she is attending parties with them. She is also supposed to dislike Hades in particular, yet she makes a deal with him in this story. 

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